Antonelli Claims First F1 Victory in China as Hamilton Reaches Ferrari Podium
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the second-youngest driver to win a Grand Prix. The race also marked Lewis Hamilton’s first podium finish with Ferrari, adding to a dramatic day in Shanghai. George Russell finished second, completing a 1-2 finish for Mercedes.
Race Highlights
Antonelli, who started from pole position, briefly lost the lead to Hamilton at the start of the race. However, he quickly regained it before the end of the second lap and maintained his position throughout the race, despite a nervous moment late in the race at Turn 14. He finished 5.5 seconds ahead of teammate Russell.1
Hamilton’s third-place finish was a hard-fought battle with his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, with the pair running side-by-side for much of the race.1 Oliver Bearman of Haas finished fifth, continuing his impressive performance this season.2
Key Performances
Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli’s victory marks a significant moment for Mercedes, extending their dominant start to the 2026 season. He capitalized on a qualifying issue for Russell to secure pole position and drove a composed race to claim his first win.2
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton’s podium finish represents his first with Ferrari, ending a 477-day wait. He engaged in a thrilling duel with Leclerc throughout the race, demonstrating the competitive balance within the Ferrari team.2
Oliver Bearman
Bearman continued to impress, securing a fifth-place finish for Haas. He benefited from the non-starts of the McLaren drivers and navigated a race that saw several retirements.2
Retirements and Disappointments
The race saw several retirements, including Max Verstappen, who broke down with 10 laps remaining.2 Both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, did not start the race due to separate electrical problems.2 Aston Martin also faced a difficult race with both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso retiring.
Race Results (Top 5)
- 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:33:15.607
- 2. George Russell (Mercedes) – +5.515s
- 3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +25.267s
- 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +28.894s
- 5. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +57.268s
Looking Ahead
Antonelli’s win positions him as a contender in the World Championship, while Mercedes continues to demonstrate its early-season dominance. The focus now shifts to the next race, where teams will look to build on their performance and address any issues encountered in China.
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